Médecins Sans Frontières reports a significant rise in measles cases in Afghanistan, with one child dying daily. Vaccination remains low, though preventable. Emergency responses are being initiated in hospitals to manage the influx of cases, urging the need for community-targeted vaccination to alleviate healthcare burdens.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has observed a significant increase in measles cases in Afghanistan since January, with alarming numbers reported at three hospitals. The organization acknowledges that measles is endemic but emphasizes that the current spike in cases this early in the year is concerning. To date in 2025, at least one child has died from measles daily, presenting nearly three times the fatalities compared to the same period last year.
Mickael Le Paih, the MSF country representative, stated, “These are preventable deaths. Measles can be a deadly disease, particularly for children with underlying health conditions such as malnutrition or congenital heart defects.” Although measles can be prevented through vaccination, immunization rates remain low in Afghanistan. The MSF asserts that rapid vaccination targeted at communities experiencing outbreaks could significantly mitigate cases and alleviate pressure on healthcare facilities.
In the first eight weeks of 2025, MSF has identified 4,799 children suspected of having measles at three hospital locations. Of these, 25 percent were complicated cases requiring hospitalization, while 75 percent necessitated outpatient treatment. At Herat Regional Hospital, an emergency response has been initiated to manage the influx, increasing the measles isolation ward capacity from 11 to 60 beds and adding more personnel and essential medications.
Likewise, MSF reported that 664 patients were admitted at Herat during this period, representing a 180 percent rise from 2024. Boost Provincial Hospital in Helmand recorded 1,866 suspected cases, resulting in a staggering 369 percent increase, while Mazar-i-Sharif Hospital treated 1,499 suspected cases, marking a 35.6 percent uptick.
Le Paih remarked, “We are dedicating additional resources, but we are already running out of space for patients suffering not just from measles, but also from seasonal illnesses.” MSF operates seven projects across multiple provinces, focusing on secondary healthcare services and managing vast numbers of patients across various needs, including measles treatment and malnutrition support.
The surge in measles cases in Afghanistan underscores the critical need for increased vaccination efforts and healthcare resources. MSF’s findings reveal a stark rise in both cases and hospitalizations, emphasizing the vulnerability of children, particularly those with existing health issues. Without immediate intervention and enhanced community-focused vaccination strategies, the potential for further preventable deaths tragically looms large.
Original Source: pajhwok.com
